MORNING JOURNAL/SAM GREENEBrowns wide receiver Josh Gordon (13) reaches for a pass in the first quarter during the week six game between the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012. The completed pass was run in for the Brown's first touchdown of the game.

CLEVELAND -- After fumbling twice in the preseason, coupled with Trent Richardson's emergence, Montario Hardesty almost became a forgotten man.

He didn't touch the ball and had only one snap with the offense in the Browns' first five games.

But when Richardson was sidelined on Sunday with a rib injury -- the Browns referred to it as a "flank" injury -- Hardesty was summoned.

He rushed for 56 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries (3.7-yard average) in the Browns' 34-24 win over Cincinnati.

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Hardesty said just like riding a bike, one never forgets how to run the ball. Despite all the inactivity, after a couple hits, he quickly returned to form.

"I knew my number would be called at some point," Hardesty said. "I wanted to go in there and get positive yards. I wanted to leave my mark on the game."

He certainly did.

It would be easy to get lost in the shuffle.

"This is a long season," Hardesty said. "I prepared every week to come in and play. When I got my opportunity, I was ready.

"I put the ball on the ground during the preseason. That's something I don't do. I was never down (in the dumps)."

The 6-foot, 225-pounder from Tennessee, now in his third season, plowed over from the 1 just four seconds into the fourth quarter. It was his first NFL touchdown.

"It was great," he said. "It took long enough."

Browns coach Pat Shurmur said Hardesty's performance was critical in the victory.

"I'm happy for him, too, because he had a significant contribution in this victory," he said.

Hardesty said he was inspired by the rowdy fans on Sunday.

"We got our stadium back today, man," he said.

Richardson's plea

Richardson took a hit in his side in the second quarter and was knocked out of the game. He vows to return against Indianapolis next Sunday.

"I'll be ready for next week," he said. "Coach didn't want to take the risk of me being injured even more."

Shurmur said Richardson's injury is to his right side.

"I don't have enough information right now to give you anything other than we're just evaluating it," he said. "So, we'll see."